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March 2, 2023

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Today's Top Stories

Southwest Airlines To Test Major Boarding Process Changes

Southwest Airlines has a unique boarding procedure that does not offer assigned seats. But while the process has its fans, it also has a lot of detractors, and the airline has been testing some new ways to speed up boarding. Recently, Southwest has been testing a number of boarding innovations to achieve faster turn times – such as a color-coded carpeted area that demarcates where passengers should line up for pre-boarding. Another includes an attempt to trick people into boarding faster by playing music on the jet bridge.

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Airbus, Qantas Close To Making First Joint Investment In SAF

Airbus and Qantas will shortly reveal which early-stage sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) projects will receive the first investment from a $AU300 ($200) million fund to kickstart the biofuels industry in Australia. The two companies established the fund last year as Qantas set a target of using 10% SAF in its fuel mix by the end of the decade and placed a multi-billion dollar order with Airbus for new planes. Qantas is already using SAF in its planes, but the lack of a homegrown biofuels industry means it’s forced to purchase it overseas.

Business Traveler USA | Related Airbus And Qantas Close To Making First Joint SAF Investment - Simple Flying

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Qantas Readies New Premium Economy ‘Cradle Seats’ With More Legroom

Following the launch of its Project Sunrise first class roomettes and business class pods, Qantas is looking to reveal the new premium economy and economy seats for non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to London, New York and Paris. For starters, they’ll be settling into new-design seats with extra legroom: expect 40” of pitch in premium economy and a 33” pitch in economy. The premium economy cabin of the ultra-long range Airbus A350s will see 40 seats nestled in front of a ‘wellbeing zone’ dedicated to “movement, stretching and rehydration”.

Executive Traveller | Related Lufthansa Allegris Launch Features Major Metaverse Innovation And Redefines Long-Haul Travel Experience - FTE

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Millions Of Pounds Worth Of Unclaimed Travel Vouchers Held By Airlines

Passengers are yet to claim hundreds of millions of pounds’ worth of vouchers for canceled flights during the pandemic. International Airlines Group (IAG), parent company of airlines such as British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling, reported more than €650 million of unclaimed vouchers last week, according to the Financial Times. In November 2021, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) called on travelers to redeem vouchers received during the Covid-19 pandemic before the expiry of the financial protection. At the time, the unspent refund credit notes totalled £131.7 million.

Business Traveller | Related Qantas Announces Thousands Of New Reward Flights – Travel Weekly

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JetBlue & CHOOOSE Team Up To Help Passengers Make Sustainable Choices

JetBlue Airways has announced that it has partnered with CHOOOSE, a climate tech company, to enable passengers to see the amount of emissions their flight produces. The passengers can then pay extra to cover the cost of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) if they would like. Through this program, JetBlue is raising awareness concerning CO2 emissions and allowing customers to combat these emissions by funding the use of SAF. Airline executives believe that this is the most rapid and efficient method available to increase the use of SAF.

Simple Flying | Related JetBlue, Chooose Partner For Customer SAF Purchases - Business Travel News

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Toronto Pearson International Airport To Limit Flights During Peak Travel Times

Toronto Pearson International Airport is set to limit the number of flights that can land and takeoff at peak travel times in an effort to improve delays. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), which operates Pearson, said the move was part of a series of measures ahead of the March break and summer travel season. GTAA also said it has brought in an outside firm to do a “baggage system health check.” The change comes after a difficult year for the airport, with a series of issues around delays, cancellations and luggage.

Global News | Related Toronto Pearson International Airport To Place Flight Caps During Peak Hours - Simple Flying

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Luton Airport Calls For Volunteers To Test New DLR-Style Trains

Getting to London Luton Airport by train from the UK capital will get easier very soon. The airport is connected to London St Pancras via a railway station at Luton Airport Parkway. However, this is situated one mile downhill from the passenger terminal building. That is about to change as the airport has installed a DLR-style (light railway) train service that will open to the public later this year. But before inaugurating the new service, the airport is asking for volunteers to come try it out.

Simple Flying | Related Luton Airport’s New Light Rail Link To Open With Restricted Timetable - Evening Standard

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> PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today’s picture comes from @rioferdz_metallic_bird, showing an Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft with the ‘Journey to the Future’ livery.

Use #APEXPOTD for the chance to be featured in the APEX Daily Experience newsletter!

> Tweet of the Day

Hats off to @British_Airways -Not only right way to treat people but a new study from @cfaarnu shows that passengers with #foodallergies are loyal and repeat in a world full of choices- so its a win win- #repeatbusiness #PaxEx #airlines

Lianne Mandelbaum @NoNutTraveler

Association News

APEX TECH 2023

New innovations and the future of connectivity, how are you prepared and what’s your organization doing to orchestrate “the next?” Join us at 2023 APEX TECH, 21 March – 23 March in Los Angeles, CA, and learn from and network with airlines and service providers. Register now.

> Quote of the Day

“We want to truly understand at its most granular level of detail how passengers move on and off our aircraft. How can we better understand some of the human behavior that slows that process down?”

Angela Marano, Vice President of Business Transformation at Southwest Airlines
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The next newsletter will be out tomorrow.

ABOUT APEX

The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) encompasses a network of airlines, businesses and professionals that are committed to providing a world-class airline experience for passengers around the globe. Every day, APEX members are improving every aspect of the airline experience, from designing, building and installing seating, entertainment and communications systems on commercial aircraft, to airport lounges and in-flight dining. Visit apex.aero for more information. APEX is professionally managed by Kellen Company, the premier global association management firm with offices and representation in the United States, Europe, China, the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia.

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